Girdle or like garment



April 6, 1943- H. M. HERBENl-:R 2,315,701

GIRDLE OR LIKE GRMENT Filed 4Deo. 2l, 1940 3 Sheets-5h66?. l

APril 6, 1943 H. M. HERBENER I 2,315,701

GIRDLE OR LIKE GARMENT F-led Dec. 2l, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mwfdw Ap 6, 1943. H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE OR LIKE GARMENT 1940 3 Sheets-Sheel'l 5 Filed Deo Patented Apr. 6, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GIRDLE B LIKE GARMENT Henry M. Herbener, Thomasville, Ga. Application December 21, 1940, Serial No. 371,194

(Cl. AIEP-43) 7 Claims.

My invention relates to girdles, corselettes, or like garments.

An important object of the invention is to' provide a garment of the above-mentioned character which will afford the maximum freedom of movement to the user, when dancing, sitting, or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the above-mentioned character which will promote the comfort of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the above-mentioned character which will remain in position against improper rising movement without the use of garter attachments.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the abovementioned character which will produce inward pressures upon the thighs affording a slenderizing appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the pull on the garment due to the raising of one leg is transmitted to the other leg receiving portion of the garment in a generally horizontal direction, thus preventing the upward creeping of the garment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

This application is a continuation in part of my application for Girdles or like garments, Serial No. 291,250, led August 2l, 1939.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part oi this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a girdle embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the same,

Figure '4 is a detailed section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the girdle,

Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a further modification of the girdle,

Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the same, Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a panty girdle embodying a further modiiication of the invention,

Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the same,

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a girdle embodying a further modication of my invention,

Figure 11 is a' side elevation of the same,

Figure 12 is a front perspective view of a girdle Cil f and vertically elastic.

embodying a further modicatoin of my invention,

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 14 is a front perspective view of a girdle embodying a further modication of my invention, and,

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the same.

In Figures 1 to 3' inclusive, the numeral I0 designates a tubular body portion of the garment, including sides II. The sides II are ilexible and are formed of elastic fabric, woven or knit, and this elastic fabric is preferably both horizontally The body portion II) is further shown as preferably comprising a front panel I2, which is preferably non-elastic in both directions and this front panel is stitched to the sides II by lines of stitching I3. The panel I2 may be vertically elastic or horizontally elastic, or it may be both horizontally and vertically elastic. The body portion I0 further comprises a rear panel I4, attached to the sides I I, as Vshown at I5, and this rear panel is preferably vertically elastic and horizontally non-elastic, but may be both horizontally and vertically elastic. If desired, the body portion may be formed integral, all portions thereof being made from an elastic fabric'which is both horizontally and vertically elastic.

Arranged at the top of the body portion I0 is a horizontally elastic band I6, having spaced transverse stiffening ribs I'I, held in pockets therein. This band may be of a construction as shown and described in my United States Patent 2,136,742. The band extends over the top edge of the sides II and the top edge of the rear panel lil -and is stitched to these parts by a line of zig-zag stitching I8. The band is secured to the edges of the iront panel I2 by lines of stitching I9. It is thus seen that the band I6 extends throughout at least a portion of the circumference of the body portion I0, at its top, and its function is to prevent the top of the body portion from rolling. The sides II and the back panel I4 are free from ribs in their upper portions and the upper ends would tend to roll, without the presence of the band I6. However, in cheaper garments, I contemplate omitting the use of the band I6.

At its bottom edge, the front of the body portion Ill is cut high, providing an opening 20, which prefer-ably has a vertical dimension of one-fourth of the vertical dimension of the body portion Il), to promote the freedom of movement of the legs. This opening forms a lower edge 2l for the front panel I2, disposed at an elevation well above the lower edge 22 of the rear panel I4 and the lower edges 22' of the sides II. The edges 2| and 22 may be bound and are non-elastic. The sides II have their lower edges 22 provided with binding 23 which is elastic. These edges 22 have generally vhorizontal portions and upstanding inclined portions 24. The lower edges 22 and 22 are disposed below the crotch of the user, while the upper edge 2| is above the crotch of the user. Reinforcing fabric sections 25, which are horizontally and vertically elastic, are preferably disposed upon the inner face of the sides I Il and are stitched thereto at their edges, as shown at 26. These reinforcing sections have rounded ends 21. The stitching is zig-zag so that it will not impair the yielding action of the sides of the reinforcing fabric. 'Ihe binding at the lower edge of the front panel and at the lower edge of the back panel is described as non-elastic, but if these panels should be made of horizontally elastic material the binding would, of course, be elastic.

The numeral 28 designates inclined stiffe'ning ribs, preferably arranged upon the inner face of the sides I I and the inner face of the reinforcing sections 25, and are secured thereto by pockets which may be formed of sections of tape 29 preferably non-elastic, which sections of tape are stitched to the reinforcing sections 25 and the sides II by lines of stitching 3B. The edges 25' of the sections 25 terminate at the central longitudinal axes of the ribs 28. The stiffening ribs 28 are upstanding, inclined, and converge downwardly. These ribs aredisposed upon opposite sides of the opening 2U and eX- tend from points adjacent to the bottom edges of the sides I I, upon the front of the sides I i and the thighs, and extend upwardly and terminate at points 3l, upon the side of the thighs, near the hip joints. The lower ends of the ribs 28 are beneath the crotch of the userv while their upper ends 3| are a considerable distance above the edge 2i and crotch of the user. The arrangement of the stiffening ribs 28 is such that they will move with the thighs, as when walking or sitting, turning upon the points 3I, near the hip joints, without any bending action of the ribs 28 in the planes of the ribs. Attention is called to the fact that the inclined ribs 28 ex'- tend above the edge 2l of the front panel and the edge 2l if projectedwould pass through points substantially equidistantly spaced from the ends of the inclined ribs 28. The front opening 2@ therefore has a vertical dimension of approximately one half of the vertical dimension of the ribs. This is the preferred arrangement although it may be somewhat varied, but the edge 2i should be beneath the tops of the ribs 28. The ribs 28 may be formed of whale bone, steel, or the like, and are rigid edgewise but are resilient sidewise.

The front of the body portion Ill is equipped with hose supporters 32 and 33, and its rear is equipped with hose supporters 34, which may be attached thereto by any suitable means.

In the use of this form of girdle the pull across the lower edge of the front panel i2 is transmitted to the inclined ribs 23 at points generally equidistantly spaced from the upper and lower ends of these ribs. These ribs transmit this pull throughout their entire length to the lower adja` cent portions of the sides II, causing these portions to press inwardly against the thighs and conform to the curvature thereof. This produces pressure upon the thighs for effecting a slenderizing appearance. The inclined ribs 28 also hold, to a certain extent, the lower portion of the girdle in the proper position against rising. These ribs are therefore used to properly distribute tension around the body, front and back, as well as to keep the garment stretched and smooth vertically upon the body. This double function of the. rib is an important feature of the invention.

In Figure 5, I have shown a further modification of the invention. rIfhe body portion 35 is in the form of a corselette and the upper band I6 is omitted. The garment is otherwise substantially identical with the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3. In Figure 5, the shoulder straps have been omitted to simplify the disclosure.

- continue around the back of the garment, al-

the hip joints.

though a back panel could be provided if desired.

The sides 3l are secured to the front panel by lines of stitching 39. The niuneral 40 designates .a band which is horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic and is equipped with transverse stiffening ribs 4I. This band is preferably of the construction as shown and described in my United States Patent 2,136,742. The band is stitched to the top edges of the garment as shown at 42, and is also stitched to the front panel 38 as shown at 43. In cheaper garments, I contemplate dispensing with the band 4U.

The front of the body portion 3S is cut high providing an opening i4 to permit of the freedom of leg movement and this opening forms a lower edge 45 for the front panel 38, arranged above the lower edge 46 of the sides and back of the body portion 36. The opening 44 corresponds to the opening 2i! of Figure 1 and the lower edge 5B is below the crotch and the lower edge 45 of the front panel is above the crotch.

Secured to the inner edges of the sides El as shown at il are preferably narrow bands 138, preferably having reinforcing ribs 49. This band is attached to the inner surface of the side 3l, as shown at 50, at the back of the garment.

The band :i8 with the adjacent portion of the side 3l forms a leg encircling member. These two leg encircling members are separate and the bands @E are separate from the front panel-38V and the bottom edge 45.

The numeral 5I designates inclined stiie'ning ribs, corresponding to the ribs 28 in Figures l to 4. These stiffening ribs 5I are disposed upon opposite sides of the opening 48, are upstanding,

inclined, and converge downwardly and extend from points adjacent tor the bottom edge i6 of the sides 3l upon the front of the thigh upwardly to points 52, upon the sides of the thighs near These ribs 5I swing about the points 52 when the movement of the thighs in walking or sitting, without bending in the plane of the ribs. The ribs 5i are suitably attached to the sides 3l by tapes or the like. The ribs 5l are formed of whale bone, steel, or the like, and

which are upstanding,

sides 51 and extend from 2,315,701 are rigid edgewise but resilient sidewise. The

same reinforcing sections are used.

Arranged aboveA and spaced from the ribs 5| are ribs 53, disposed upon opposite sides of the front panel 38. These ribs 53 are inclined and converge downwardly and their lower portions overlap the upper portions of the ribs 5| but are spaced therefrom. It is preferred that the lower ends of the ribs 53 be in general vertical alinement with the lower ends of the ribs 5I.- The ribs 53 are preferably formed of looped wire, which is suitably resilient. These ribs are resilient edgewise as well as sidewise but are substantially stiff against lengthwise compression. These ribs are preferably sewed to the side portions 31 by a line of stitching passing through the openings of the ribs and are also covered by means of tape or the like.

The numeral 54 designates a further pair of stiiening ribs, preferably identical with the ribs 53 and the ribs 55 are secured to the sides 31 and band lill. The ribs 54 are vertically inclined and converge downwardly and their lower portions overlap the ribs 53 and are spaced theren from. The lower ends of the ribs 54 are preferably in general alinement with the lower ends of the ribs 53 and 5|.

The lowermost ribs 5| receive the inward pull across the lower edge 45 of the front panel 36 and this pull is transmitted by the ribs 5i to the adjacent portions of the sides 31 which exert an inward pressure upon the thighs and this tension is also transmitted around the back of the garment. The lower ribs 5| throughout their length, serve to prevent the lower portion of thel sides rising upon the wearer. The ribs 5| cannot move upwardly to any considerable extent with relation to the intermediate ribs n 53, without placing the elastic fabric between the ribs 5| and 53 under increased tension and the ribs $3 therefore serve to retain the ribs 5i' in the lower position. In a similar manner, the uppermost ribs 54 serve to retainthe intermediate ribs 53 in the lwered position. These ribs therefore act in unison to retain the bottom of the girdle in the l lowered position. Due to the inclination, spacing, and arrangement of the ribs, they do not interfere with the bending of the body of the user. Ihe tension across the back, at its bottom, reduces the tension upon the rear ends of the bands 48, while the tension upon the ribs 5| reduces the tension upon the forward ends of these bands, whereby the bands are worn at a much reduced tension as compared with the.

sides of the garment at its bottom. The portions of the sides 31 adjacent to the front ends of the straps 46 exert a pressure upon the flesh to avoid conspicuous bulges of soft flesh. I also contemplate having the bands 48 longitudinally adjustable and for this purpose, the front ends of the bands may be secured to the sides 31 by adjustable buckles or the like.

In'Figures 8 and 9, I have shown the invention as embodied in a panty girdle. This garment embodies a tubular body portion 55, formed of woven i or knit fabric which is preferably vertically and horizontally elastic. The body-portion is woven with legs 56, as shown. The back of the garment may be 'continuous with the sides 51. The front of the garment may have a front panel 58, preferably vertically elastic and horizontally nonelastic. The numeral 59 designates stifl'ening ribs inclined and diverge downribs are secured to the the lower edges I6 of wardly. These stiifening the legs 56 upwardly and terminate at points 5|.

Reinforcing sections of fabric 62 are preferably arranged at the upper ends of the ribs 59 and are stitched to the sides 51 and these sections 62 are horizontally and vertically elastic.- The inclined ribs 59 extend downwardly upon the front of the thighs and upwardly and rearwardly to points upon the sides of the thighs adjacent to the hip joints. The ribs 59 therefore turn about vthe points 6| during the walking or sitting movements of the user. These ribs may be formed of whale bone, steel, or the like, and are rigid edgewise but resilient laterally. The lower end of the body portion 55 terminates at the crotch 63 of the garment beneath the crotch of the user, or at the top of the legs 56, and the lower end of the body portion, which may be indicated generally at the line Gd leads to the inclined ribs 59 at points generally equidistantly spaced from their upper and lower ends. It is thus apparent that tension is transmitted from one rib 59 to the other rib 59 along the line 64 and this tension is transmitted by the ribs throughout their entire lengths. to the sides 51, causing the lower portions of the sides and legs to closely hug the thighs producing a slenderizing eifect. These ribs also hold the lower portions of the legs 55 downwardly against vfolding or rising movement.

A reinforcing section of fabric 65 is arranged at the back of the garmentand is stitched to the rear of the legs at 6G and this reinforcing sec tion extends downwardly to points near the lower ends oi the legs. This reinforcing section cooperates with the ribs 59 for transmitting tension from one rib to the other and about the garment and across they back of the `garment so that the lower portions of the sides 51 and legs are drawn inwardly against the thighs. The reinforcing section 65 is horizontally and Vertically elastic and if it is omitted, i would then preferably employ the ribs 59 made of looped rwire as shown in Figure 6.

In Figures 10 and 11,1 have shown a girdle which is similar to the girdle shown in Figures 6 and 7, except for the arrangement of the ribs 5|, 53, and 5d. This girdle comprises sides 9i", which are horizontally and vertically elastic and afront panel 6B preferably vertically elastic and horizontally non-elastic. The front of the girdle is cut highat its lower edge providing a high opening 69', corresponding to the opening M and for the same purpose. 'I'he sides carry leg encircling bands 10' corresponding to the bands 4.8, Figure 6. In Figures 10 and 1l, the same stiffening ribs 5| are provided arranged in the identicalmanner. This rib 5| is rigid edgewise and resilient sidew'lse. The same stiffening ribs 54 are provided which are placed in 'the same positions and the ribs 54 are resilient edgewise and sidewise but are stiff against longitudinal compression. The rib 53 of Figures 6 and- 7 is omitted and vertical ribsI 61 are used which' are attached to the sides of the garment rearwardly of and near the ribs 5|. The ribs 61 have their lower ends extending below the upper ends of the ribs 5| and the upper ends of the ribs 61 extend above the ribs 5I for a considerable distance. The ribs 5| and 61 are spaced and their adjacent portions overlap. The ribs 61 are prefe'rably formed of looped wire and are resilient edgewise and sidewise and are stiff against longitudinal compression. The upper ends of the ribs 61 extend above the lower ends of the ribs 54. The ribs 5|, 54, and 61 are staggered.

In Figures l2 and 13, I have shown a girdle which is substantially identicaiwith the girdle shown in Figures 6 and '7, except for the arrangement of the stiirening ribs 5 i, 53, and 545.

In these Figures 12 and 13, the same lower stiffening ribs 5| are provided, arranged in the identical manner. These ribs are rigid edgewise and resilient sidewise. The ribs 53 and 54 are omitted and short substantially vertical stiiening ribs 68, 69, and l are substituted therefor. The ribs 68', 69, and l' are preferably formed of looped wire, like ribs 53. The ribs 68, 69, and lll are suitably attached to the sides. The ribs 6B overlap the upper portions of the ribs the ribs 69 overlap the upper portions of the ribs 68; and the ribs l0 overlap the upper portions of the ribs 69. These ribs are all horizontally spaced. The ribs E8, 69, and 'l0 are staggered. The ribs 68, 69, and 'l0 are arranged upon the sides of the thighs. These several ribs serve to retain the girdle smooth and prevent the same from working up, to any considerable extent, for if the ribs 5i tend to rise with respect to the ribs 68, the elastic material between these ribs is placed under tension which opposes this movement, and ribs 69 and 'lll function in' the same manner. The ribs 68, 69, and'lll, being spaced, permit bending of the body in divers directions.

In Figures 14 and 15, I have shown a further modication of a garterless girdle. This girdle comprises a tubular body portion 'il formed of woven or knit fabric which is elastic both horizontally and vertically and has sides; 'l2

and a back 13, preferably woven integral. M is a front panel which may be vertically and horizontally non-elastic although the same may be elastic if desired. 'l5 is the longitudinally elastic band having transverse stifening ribs '16.

At the bottom of each side 'l2 .is secured'a section of fabric 'il by' stitching or the like and the section of fabric 'il is horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic. The body portion 'il is cut high in the front, providing a. lower edge 'i8 these ribs and at points beiow the upper ends and is cut high in the back, to some extent, providing a lower edge i8'. Each section 'Il and the adjacent lower portion of the side l2 is provided with front and rear substantially vertical stiffening ribs lll and 8D, 1secured to these parts by'any suitable means. These ribs are preferably rigid ledgewise and Iresilient sidewise. The

edges 'i8 and 'I8' are disposed at an elevation beneath the upper ends of the ribs 7S and 80. The numeral 8l designates a leg encircling band, wihich is longitudinally elastic and vertically non-elastic and Ahas transverse stifening ribs. The ends of this band are attached to sections 82, which are horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic, by zig-zag lines of stitching and the sections 82 are secured to the section il by zigzag lines of stitching 83. Triangular sections 84 which are Ihorizontally elastic and vertically nonelastic are arranged above the sections 32 and secured thereto by a zig-zag line of stitching and these triangular sections are secured to the lower portions of the sides i2 by the vertical stitching which secures the ribs 'I9 and 8d to the side l2 or by a separate line of stitching, if desired. The numerals 85, 86, 8l, and -88 designate stiiening ribs, preferably formed of looped resilient wire and these stiffening ribs are resilient edgewise and sidewise and stiff against longitudinal compression. 'The ribs 85, 86, 8T, and 88 are secured to each side l2 by any suitable means. These several ribs have their ends overlapping and are arrangedin a staggered relation and the lowermost rib 85 has its lower end prolof the ribs. These ribs therefore press the lower portions of the sides 'l2 and the section 'll against the thighs of the user, thus producing a slenderizing effect.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A girdle or the like comprising a iiexible body portion of suicient length to extend at its bottom below the .crotch of the wearer and at its top above the hip joints, said body portion being provided adjacent to its bottom with a front opening having its top terminating beneath the hip joints to promote the freedom of movement of the legs, and upstanding stiffening rib means disposed upon opposite sides of the front opening and secured tothe body portion and extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom edge of the body' portion and having their upper ends terminating above the top of the front opening and near the elevation of the hip joints, said rib means receiving tension and serving to transmit a portion of the same to the bottom portion of the girdle.

V2. A girdle or the like comprising a exible body portion of sumcient length to extend at its-bottom below the crotch of the wearer and at its top above the hip joints, said body portion being at least in part circumferentially elastic, said body portion being provided adjacent to its bottom with a front opening having its top terminating beneath the hip joints to promote freedom of movement of the legs, and upstanding ribs disposed upon opposite sides of the front opening, said ribs being rigid edgewise and resilient sidewise, said ribs being secured to the body portion and extending upwardly-from points adjacent to the bottom edge of the body portion and having their upper ends terminating above the top of the front opening and near the elevation of the hip joints, said ribs receiving tension and serving to transmit a portion of the same to the bottom portion of the girdle.

3. A girdle or the like comprising a iiexiblel body portion of suilcient length to extend at its bottom below the crotch of the wearer and at its top above the hip joints, and upstanding stiiening ribs secured to the sides of the body portion and extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom edge of the body portion and having their elevation of being provided adjacent to its bottom with a front opening disposed between the upstanding ribs, the front opening having a vertical dimension of approximately one half of the vertical dimension of the ribs. said ribs receiving tension. from the front portion or the girdle adjacent to the top of the front opening, and serving to transmit a portion of the same to the bottom portion of the girdle.

upper ends terminating near thev the hip joints, said body portion points near the elevation of the hip joints, said? -body portion being provided adjacent to its bottom with a front opening disposed between the upstanding ribs, the top of the iront opening terminating below the tops of the ribs, said ribs receiving tension between their ends from the `front of the girdle and serving to transmit a portion of the same to the bottom portion of the girdle.

5. A girdle or the like comprising a flexible body portion of sufficient length to extend at its bottom below the crotch of the wearer and at its top above the hip joints, said body portion being provided adjacent to its bottom with a frontopening having its top terminating beneath the hip joints to promote the freedom of movement of the legs, and longitudinal sets of upstanding stiffening ribs disposed upon opposite sides of the front opening and secured to lthe body portion, the upstanding ribs in each set having their upper ends disposed at different elevations, the end oi each rib in each set being out of longitudinal alignment with the adjacent end of the next rib, the lowermost upstanding ribs in said sets extending upwardly from points adjacent to the bottom edge of the body portion and having their upper ends terminating above the top of the front opening and near the elevation of the hip joints.

6. A girdle or the like comprising a exible body portion of sumcient length to extend at its bottom below the crotch of the wearer and at its top above the hip joints, said body portion vbeing provided adjacent to its bottom with a front opening having its top terminating beneath the hip joints to promote freedom of movement of the legs, upstanding stiifening ribs secured to the sides of the girdle upon opposite sides of the front opening and extending from points adjacent to the bottom edge of the girdle and terminating at elevations above the top of the iront opening and at points at least not above the elevation of the hip joints for any considerable distance, and upstanding stiiening ribs secured to the sides oi the girdle and disposed at the sides of the first named ribs, the upper ends of the second named ribs being disposed at a different elevation from the upper ends of the first named ribs.

7. A girdle or .the like comprising a flexible body portion of suiiicient length to extend atv its bottom below the crotch of the wearer and at its top above the hip joints, said body portion being at least in part circumferentially elastic, said body portion having a front opening adjacent to its bottom, said body portion having a front portion which is at least circumferentially non-elastic adjacent to its bottom edge, upstanding stiiening ribs secured to the sides of the girdle upon opposite sides of the front opening, said ribs extending from points adjacent to the bottom edge of the girdle and extending above the front opening and not above the elevation of the hip joints for any substantial distance, the non-elastic bottom portion of the front portion of the girdle transmitting tension to the ribs between Ythe ends of the ribs and the ribs transmitting a portion of this tension to the bottom portion of the girdle.

HENRY M. HERBENER. 

